Bob Bradovich

Bob Bradovich says he's lucky to have combined his passion for sports with his career--he still can't believe he gets paid to watch sports on TV and in person.

Bob has had the opportunity to cover many big events since joining the News 18 team in 1996, including Super Bowls XXXI, XXXII and XLV, the 1999, 2000, 2012, and 2013 Rose Bowls, the NCAA Final Four in 2014 and 2015, as well as the NCAA Frozen Four in 2006 and 2011. Bob is also very visible during the month of March each year, as one of the play-by-play announcers for the WIAA hockey and basketball state tournament telecasts.

While at News 18, Bob's work has been recognized with numerous awards. He received the 2015 Jim Mueller Blugold Spirit award from UW-Eau Claire, for his long-term service in support of the Blugolds athletic program. In 2009, the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association named Bob as its "Media Man of the Year." Bob was also a co-recipient of the 2005-06 Tom Butler Award, given annually by the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to an individual or individuals who have provided outstanding media coverage to WIAC athletics. Bob's work has been recognized by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association with a 2010 New Media Award, Merit Awards in 2003 and 2004 in the best sports reporting category, as well as a 1997 Merit Award for use of the medium.

Prior to Eau Claire, Bob spent several years in Mason City, Iowa, where he was the weekend sports anchor at KIMT-TV. His first full-time job in commercial television was at WNNE-TV in White River Junction, Vermont, where he worked as a reporter/videographer in both news and sports. Before that, Bob interned in the sports department at WKOW-TV, while receiving his Master's degree in Journalism & Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In 2003, Bob took on some additional responsibilities as an associate lecturer for two courses in the Department of Communication and Journalism at UW-Eau Claire.

Sports have been a big part of Bob's life. He was a three-sport athlete (baseball, basketball, cross country) at Chisholm High School in northern Minnesota, where he was also co-valedictorian of his graduating class. Bob is also a graduate of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where was a three-year baseball letter winner for the Knights.

Bob still stays active in athletics. In the summer, you can find him playing baseball with the Menomonie Grey Eagles, or else on one of the Chippewa Valley's many golf courses or bike trails. Year-round, he's a regular at the Eau Claire YMCA, either on the basketball court or in the weight room.

Bob says another great aspect of his job is the opportunity to meet a wide variety of people from all walks of life. Bob remains a big sports fan, and lists Camp Randall Stadium, Lambeau Field, Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, and the old Boston Garden as his favorite venues.